Detection of high incidence of K-ras oncogenes during human colon tumorigenesis

N-ras gene mutations in childhood acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia

In view of the potential role for ras activation in leukemogenesis, we have screened a number of children with acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL) for activating point mutations at codons 12, 13 and 61 of the N-ras proto-oncogene using panels of oligonucleotide probes in conjunction with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) gene amplification. In contrast to the frequent occurrence (approximately 30%) of N-ras mutation reported in adult ANLL, 6 of 46 cases (13%) at the time of diagnosis had N-ras mutations involving codons 12 and 13. In these patients we also determine whether presenting clinical symptoms, cellular pathology, karyotype, or eventual outcome distinguished them from the ras-negative group. N-ras activation tended to be associated with a higher white blood cell count at diagnosis (mean of 225,000/microliters vs 91,000/microliters) and fewer remissions obtained after 28 days of therapy (3/6, 50% vs 24/32, 75%). It is possible that activation of N-ras oncogene may be involved in the progression of some cases of childhood ANLL.

Human T lymphocytes recognize a peptide of single point-mutated, oncogenic ras proteins

P21ras proteins are thought to play an important role in cell proliferation and differentiation. Single nucleotide mutations in the encoding cellular proto-oncogenes often result in p21ras proteins with transforming activity. Such activated ras oncogenes have been demonstrated in a variety of human malignancies and also in preneoplastic changes. Using a synthetic peptide corresponding to amino acids 5-16 of mutated p21ras proteins with an exchange of the normal glycine at position 12 by valine, it is shown here that human CD4+ T cells specifically recognize the mutated protein sequence and can be generated as antigen-specific T lymphocyte lines. The fact that these T lines did not crossreact to the sequence of normal p21ras proteins offers new perspectives for specific immunotherapy of human malignancies and even precancerous lesions.

Activation of Ki-ras gene by point mutation in human liver angiosarcoma associated with vinyl chloride exposure

Point mutations of c-ras genes were investigated in human angiosarcomas of the liver associated with occupational exposure to vinyl chloride. DNA prepared from either frozen or paraffin-embedded tissues was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction, and putative point mutations at codons 12, 13, and 61 of c-Ha-ras, c-Ki-ras, and N-ras were analyzed by dot-blot hybridization with allele-specific oligonucleotides. A G.C----A.T transition in the second nucleotide at codon 13 of the c-Ki-ras-2 gene was detected in 5 of 6 tumors. This mutation is likely a consequence of vinyl chloride-DNA adduct formation. It leads to the substitution of glycine by aspartic acid in the resulting p21 protein, a consistent amino acid substitution found so far in all types of human cancer exhibiting a codon 13-mutated Ki-ras gene.

Early and late events in the development of human breast cancer

We hypothesize that early events in the development of at least some human breast cancers involve faulty epithelial-mesenchymal interactions and that the stromal cells themselves play an active role in this abnormal process. In contrast, later events accelerating breast tumor progression may occur in association with genetic changes involving only the malignant epithelial cells. These conclusions arise from a review of the literature, our comparative studies of HA metabolism in fibroblasts cultured from either normal or malignant breast tissues, and from molecular-genetic studies performed on sequential specimens from a single patient and on a wide variety of human breast tumor samples. HA is a proteoglycan component of the ECM which is known to stimulate epithelial cell detachment and motility and is most abundant in fetal and rapidly growing tissues. We find that many breast cancer-derived fibroblasts are stimulated to produce HA in response to TGF-beta under conditions where HA accumulation by normal tissue fibroblasts is almost uniformly inhibited. In a single patient, we had the opportunity to examine three malignant effusions that occurred sequentially to identify genetic changes associated with the later stages of breast cancer progression. Although, common cytogenetic abnormalities were found in all the effusion samples, only the last effusion exhibited a loss of heterozygosity at the c-Ha-ras locus. In this case, the allelic loss correlated with improved growth in vitro of the primary cells and with ability to become a permanently established cell line.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Structural analysis of the mouse c-Ha-ras gene promoter

Previous studies have demonstrated that the mouse c-Harvey ras proto-oncogene (c-Ha-ras) promoter sequences are GC rich and contain several potential transcription factor SP1 binding sites. We investigated the endonuclease hypersensitivity of this region in nuclei in vitro and whole mouse tissues in vivo and identified a very strong, ubiquitous hypersensitive site covering the proximal promoter sequences. Footprint protection studies using nuclear extracts from various cell types including fibroblasts, erythroid cells, and both normal and transformed epithelial cells revealed a consistent protein-binding pattern. Five protein binding sites were observed, four of which correlated with potential SP1 binding sites. Competition experiments using an oligonucleotide corresponding to a consensus SP1 binding site confirmed that these sequences were indeed bound by the SP1 (or SP1-like) trans-acting factor. In addition, no differences were observed between the footprint patterns obtained using extracts from cells of different lineages or between normal and transformed epithelial cells carrying activated ras genes. The controlling elements responsible for differential c-Ha-ras transcription between cell types or at different stages of carcinogenesis therefore probably lie in other regions of the gene.

Expression of c-myc and c-fos mRNA in colorectal carcinoma in man

Thirty colorectal carcinomas, 1 adenoma of the colon, 1 case of Crohn's disease and 13 specimens of non-neoplastic colorectal mucosa were examined for qualitative and quantitative expression of the c-myc and c-fos protooncogenes. These genes encode nuclear proteins, which are both believed to regulate gene transcription. Oncogene expression was evaluated at the mRNA level by in situ hybridization and Northern blot analysis. Densitometric analysis of the specific bands on Northern blots revealed a highly significant overexpression of c-myc mRNA in colorectal carcinomas compared with non-neoplastic tissue (p less than 0.001). Furthermore, increased expression of c-myc mRNA was found in moderately and poorly differentiated carcinomas compared with well differentiated ones. In contrast to c-myc, c-fos mRNA expression was significantly lower in carcinomas than in non neoplastic tissue (p less than 0.02). Neither, c-myc nor c-fos mRNA levels showed a clear-cut correlation with tumor stage. We conclude that c-myc mRNA overexpression plays an important role in the progression of colorectal carcinomas. In contrast enhanced c-fos mRNA expression may be related to cell differentiation, both in tumors and non-neoplastic tissue.

Liver fatty acid-binding protein: a marker for studying cellular differentiation in gut epithelial neoplasms

Human liver fatty acid binding protein is a 127 residue cytoplasmic protein synthesized in liver and in the intestinal epithelium. Previous studies of normal and transgenic mice indicated that the liver fatty acid-binding protein gene is a sensitive marker of enterocytic differentiation. This study shows the use of immunohistochemical methods to examine liver fatty acid-binding protein gene expression in normal human colonic epithelium, colonic villoglandular adenomas, nonmucinous and mucinous adenocarcinomas, and several types of noncolonic epithelial neoplasms. Cells containing liver fatty acid-binding protein were found in normal colonic epithelium, in two thirds of colorectal villoglandular adenomas and nonmucinous adenocarcinomas, and in one third of mucinous adenocarcinomas but not in noncolonic, nonhepatic carcinomas. All liver fatty acid-binding protein-positive colonic adenomas and adenocarcinomas contained patches of immunoreactive cells distributed among histologically identical patches of cells without liver fatty acid-binding protein immunoreactivity. This "mosaicism" was also found in metastases from liver fatty acid-binding protein-positive colonic adenocarcinomas. Immunostaining of these liver fatty acid-binding protein-positive tissues for carcinoembryonic antigen did not show a mosaic cellular pattern in its expression. These data suggest that within a given neoplasm, differences exist in the differentiation programs of monoclonally-derived, malignant colonic epithelial cells and that liver fatty acid-binding protein is a useful marker for operationally defining these subpopulations. Liver fatty acid-binding protein is also a potentially useful diagnostic marker for colorectal and hepatic carcinomas.

Expression of ras oncogenes in cultured human cells alters the transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of cytokine genes

Autonomous production of cytokines such as the hematopoietic colony-stimulating factors (CSFs), IL-1, or IL-6 has been demonstrated in numerous human and murine neoplasms, and may be involved in the pathogenesis of several paraneoplastic syndromes such as leukocytosis, fever, and hypercalcemia. Because of the high frequency with which mutations in ras protooncogenes have been detected in human tumors, as well as evidence linking ras gene products to activation of certain cellular functions, we investigated whether ras mutations might influence the regulation of cytokine genes. Normal human fibroblasts transfected with a mutant val12 H-ras oncogene expressed increased levels of mRNA transcripts encoding granulocyte-CSF (G-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage-CSF (GM-CSF), and IL-1 beta compared with controls. Human mesothelioma cells transfected with a mutant asp12 N-ras oncogene exhibited similar alterations in cytokine gene expression. Estimates of transcriptional activity by nuclear run-on analysis revealed a selective increase in transcription only for the IL-1 gene. Analysis of mRNA half-life demonstrated a marked increase in the stability of numerous cytokine transcripts, including G-CSF, GM-CSF, IL-1, and IL-6. The addition of anti-IL-1 neutralizing antibody to cultures of cells expressing ras mutants did not block the expression of any of the cytokines examined, suggesting that the baseline expression of GM-CSF, G-CSF, and IL-6 was not a secondary event due to the increased transcription of IL-1. These results indicate that mutations in ras genes may alter expression of several cytokine genes through both transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms.

The polymerase chain reaction: miracle or mirage? A critical review of its uses and limitations in diagnosis and research

Since publication of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique in 1985 (Saiki et al. Science 1985; 230: 1350-1354), there has been an explosion of reports on its use in medicine and science. We critically review its use both as a diagnostic technique and as a research tool, and show the pathologist how to evaluate PCR data and how to avoid the pitfalls of overinterpretation. We discuss the value of PCR in the characterization of genetic defects, prenatal diagnosis, carrier testing, HLA typing, detecting micro-organisms, identifying activated oncogenes, and in the characterization of leukaemias and lymphomas, and summarize the main applications in biomedical research.

Overexpression of protein kinase C in HT29 colon cancer cells causes growth inhibition and tumor suppression

By using a retrovirus-derived vector system, we generated derivatives of the human colon cancer cell line HT29 that stably overexpress a full-length cDNA encoding the beta 1 isoform of rat protein kinase C (PKC). Two of these cell lines, PKC6 and PKC7, displayed an 11- to 15-fold increase in PKC activity when compared with the C1 control cell line that carries the vector lacking the PKC cDNA insert. Both of the overexpresser cell lines exhibited striking alterations in morphology when exposed to the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Following exposure to TPA, PKC6 and PKC7 cells displayed increased doubling time, decreased saturation density, and loss of anchorage-independent growth in soft agar; but these effects were not seen with the C1 cells. Also, in contrast to the control cells, the PKC-overproducing cells failed to display evidence of differentiation, as measured by alkaline phosphatase activity, when exposed to sodium butyrate. In addition, the PKC-overexpresser cells displayed decreased tumorigenicity in nude mice, even in the absence of treatment with TPA. These results provide the first direct evidence that PKC can inhibit tumor cell growth. Thus, in some tumors, PKC might act as a growth-suppressor gene.

Overexpression of protein kinase C in HT29 colon cancer cells causes growth inhibition and tumor suppression

By using a retrovirus-derived vector system, we generated derivatives of the human colon cancer cell line HT29 that stably overexpress a full-length cDNA encoding the beta 1 isoform of rat protein kinase C (PKC). Two of these cell lines, PKC6 and PKC7, displayed an 11- to 15-fold increase in PKC activity when compared with the C1 control cell line that carries the vector lacking the PKC cDNA insert. Both of the overexpresser cell lines exhibited striking alterations in morphology when exposed to the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Following exposure to TPA, PKC6 and PKC7 cells displayed increased doubling time, decreased saturation density, and loss of anchorage-independent growth in soft agar; but these effects were not seen with the C1 cells. Also, in contrast to the control cells, the PKC-overproducing cells failed to display evidence of differentiation, as measured by alkaline phosphatase activity, when exposed to sodium butyrate. In addition, the PKC-overexpresser cells displayed decreased tumorigenicity in nude mice, even in the absence of treatment with TPA. These results provide the first direct evidence that PKC can inhibit tumor cell growth. Thus, in some tumors, PKC might act as a growth-suppressor gene.

Analysis of the c-Ha-ras-1 gene for deletion, mutation, amplification and expression in lymph node metastases of human head and neck carcinomas

The c-Ha-ras gene was analysed by Southern blot hybridisation in 67 specimens of lymph node metastases and in 25 specimens of primary tumours obtained from 85 untreated patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The loss of one c-Ha-ras allele was observed in 10/46 (22%) tumours from heterozygous patients for this locus. Different genes, located as the c-Ha-ras gene on the short arm of chromosome 11, were also found to be deleted suggesting that the deletion of other genes could play a role in aggressiveness of head and neck carcinomas. Using polymerase chain reaction, mutation at codon 12 was detected in only 2/54 (3.8%) tumours but no mutation involving codon 61 was found. Neither gene amplification nor gene rearrangement could be observed. Total RNA was prepared from 79 of these tumour specimens and analysed by Northern and slot blot hybridisation. A 1.2 kb c-Ha-ras transcript band was detected in all the RNA preparations. Relatively high c-Ha-ras transcript levels were found in 18% of lymph node metastases and in 21% of primary tumours, indicating no significant differences between these cancers. Moreover, the c-Ha-ras mRNA levels were not significantly greater in the primary tumours than in the normal mucosae in 10/12 cases for which both tissues were analysed. These data indicate that c-Ha-ras gene does not seem to be strongly involved in head and neck carcinomas at that advanced stage of the disease, as this was previously reported for earlier clinical stages.

K-ras oncogene activation as a prognostic marker in adenocarcinoma of the lung

BACKGROUND

The capability of activated oncogenes to induce malignant transformation of immortalized cells in vitro has suggested that they have a similar role in the pathogenesis of human tumors. We previously found that activation of the K-ras oncogene by a point mutation in codon 12 occurs in about one third of human lung adenocarcinomas.

METHODS

We studied the clinical importance of this oncogene-activation in 69 patients with lung adenocarcinoma in whom complete resection of the tumor was possible. The polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify ras-specific sequences of DNA isolated from frozen or paraffin-embedded tumor samples. Ras point mutations were subsequently detected and classified with the use of mutation-specific oligonucleotide probes.

RESULTS

Nineteen of the tumors harbored a point mutation in codon 12 of the K-ras oncogene. There was no association between the K-ras point mutation and the age at diagnosis, sex, or presence of previous or concurrent neoplasms. Tumors positive for K-ras point mutations tended to be smaller and less differentiated than those without mutations. The K-ras codon-12 point mutation was a strong (and unfavorable) prognostic factor: 12 of the 19 patients with K-ras point-mutation-positive tumors died during the follow-up period, as compared with 16 of the 50 patients with no mutation in the K-ras oncogene (P = 0.002). This difference in prognosis was also reflected in the duration of disease-free survival (P = 0.038) and in the number of deaths due to cancer (P less than 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of K-ras point mutations defines a subgroup of patients with lung adenocarcinoma in whom the prognosis is very poor and disease-free survival is not usually long despite radical resection and a small tumor load.

A transforming Kirsten ras oncogene in an oral squamous carcinoma

This investigation has employed the NIH 3T3 cell transfection assay in an effort to detect transforming genes in DNA from squamous carcinomas of the head and neck. Of 11 tumor DNAs tested, 1 DNA sample from a gingival squamous carcinoma was able to produce primary and secondary transformants containing the human K-ras oncogene. This is the first report of an activated ras oncogene derived from a carcinoma of the head and neck. Head and neck cancers may possess activated ras oncogenes more often than is indicated by this study because of the relative inefficiency of transfection assays in detecting large transforming genes such as K-ras.

Detection of deletions, insertions and single nucleotide substitutions in cloned beta-globin genes and new polymorphic nucleotide substitutions in beta-globin genes in a Japanese population using ribonuclease cleavage at mismatches in RNA:DNA duplexes

The applicability of ribonuclease cleavage at mismatches in RNA:DNA duplexes (RNase cleavage method) for determining nucleotide variant rates has been examined in a Japanese population. DNA segments of various lengths obtained from 4 different regions of a normal and 3 thalassemic cloned human beta-globin genes were inserted into transcription vectors. Sense and antisense RNA probes uniformly labeled with 32P were prepared. When RNA probes of 771 nucleotides (nt) or less were hybridized with cloned DNAs and the resulting duplexes were treated with a mixture of RNases A and T1, the length of products agreed with theoretical values. Twelve possible mismatches were examined. Since both sense and antisense probes were used, uncleavable mismatches such as G:T and G:G which were made from one combination of RNA and DNA strands could be converted to the cleavable C:A and C:C mismatches, respectively, by using the opposite combination. Deletions and insertions of 1 (G), 4 (TTCT), 5 (ATTTT) and 10 (ATTTTATTTT) nt were easily detected. A polymorphic substitution of T to C at position 666 of the second intervening sequence (IVS2-666) of the beta-globin gene was detected using genomic DNAs from cell lines established from the peripheral B lymphocytes of 59 unrelated Japanese from Hiroshima or those amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The frequency of the gene with C at the IVS2-666 (allele C) was 0.48 and that of the gene with T (allele T) was 0.52. The associations of the 2 alleles were in agreement with Hardy-Weinberg proportions. No contradiction to Mendelian inheritance was observed in the results obtained from 11 family studies. Two new polymorphic substitutions of C to A and A to T were detected at nucleotide positions 1789 and 1945 from the capping site, respectively, using genomic DNAs amplified by PCR. The feasibility of the RNase cleavage method combined with PCR for large-scale screening of variation in chromosomal DNA is discussed.

c-Ki-ras mutations in chronic ulcerative colitis and sporadic colon carcinoma

Mutations in the first exon of the c-Ki-ras protooncogene were analyzed in carcinomas and dysplasias from patients with sporadic colon cancer and chronic ulcerative colitis by a combination of histological enrichment, cell sorting, polymerase catalyzed chain reaction, and direct sequencing. In contrast to sporadic colon carcinomas, where 52% (11 of 21) contained mutations in codon 12, only 1 of 28 samples of ulcerative colitis associated carcinoma or dysplasia contained a c-Ki-ras mutation, despite the presence of aneuploid cell populations. These results suggest that a different genetic pathway for tumor progression may exist between sporadic colon carcinoma and carcinomas arising in chronic ulcerative colitis.

Alterations of oncogenes in metastatic tumours of human gastric carcinomas

To determine whether alterations in oncogenes are associated with tumour progression and metastasis, DNAs from 32 metastatic tumour samples of different sites in 12 autopsy cases of gastric carcinomas were analysed for alterations of ERBB, ERBB2, HST1, INT2 and LMYC genes by Southern blot hybridisation. DNAs from 89 primary gastric carcinomas including 69 advanced carcinomas and 20 early carcinomas were also examined. In primary tumours, no amplification was detected in early carcinomas, while amplification of ERBB and ERBB2 genes was detected in one (1.4%) and four (5.8%) out of 69 advanced carcinomas, respectively. In metastatic tumours, amplification of ERBB gene was detected in three metastatic tumours (9.4%), and all of them had allelic deletion of the LMYC gene. Regardless of histological type, amplification of ERBB2 gene was detected in 8 metastatic tumours (25.0%), out of which three tumours had coamplification of HST1 and INT2 genes. The incidence of ERBB2 amplification in metastatic tumours was significantly higher than that in primary tumours. These results indicate that multi-alterations in oncogenes might occur during tumour progression and metastasis of human gastric carcinomas.

Expression of ras oncogene leads to down-regulation of protein kinase C

The effect of mutated c-Ha-ras expression on Ca2+ and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C (PKC) activity during the process of transformation was analysed using an inducible metallothionein-ras hybrid oncogene system. A close correlation was found between the timing of ras expression and the loss of PKC enzymatic activity measured in a cell-free system. Examination of the subcellular distribution of the enzyme in inducible and constitutive ras-transformants revealed that expression of ras was associated with an apparent translocation of PKC to the plasma membrane concomitant with down-regulation of PKC enzymatic activity in particulate as well as cytosolic fractions. Quantitation of PKC protein utilizing a PKC-specific antiserum showed that ras expression was associated with a decrease in the total amount of PKC protein present in the cell. We conclude that transformation by c-Ha-ras is accompanied by down-regulation of PKC activity and that the basis of this effect may, to a large extent, lie in the down-regulation of the amount of PKC protein.

Gastric carcinogenesis: diet as a causative factor

Gastric cancer is a very typical cancer related to life styles, including nutrition and dietary conditions. Cigarette smoking has also been pointed out as an enhancing factor in gastric cancer development. Improvement of dietary conditions, regular dietary habits including lower salt, nitrite and nitrite intake and balanced nutritious food may be factors suppressing the incidence of gastric cancer. At the same time, advances in technology for early diagnosis and early surgical treatment have elevated the cure rate of gastric cancers. From both primary and secondary cancer prevention aspects, gastric cancer is now a conquerable disease.

K-ras activation in colorectal tumors from patients with familial polyposis coli

K-ras gene mutation in colorectal tumors from patients with familial polyposis coli were investigated using oligonucleotide probes specific for a mutation at codon 12, 13, or 61 of the K-ras gene. The authors examined 22 colorectal carcinomas and 51 colorectal adenomas from 41 familial polyposis coli patients and observed mutations at codons 12 and 13 in eight of 22 colorectal carcinomas (36%) and six of 51 colorectal adenomas (12%). Thus, the frequency and sites of K-ras gene mutation in colorectal carcinoma from familial polyposis coli patients are similar to those in cases of sporadic colorectal carcinoma and may not be the first genetic event linked to the tumorigenesis.

Point mutation at codon 12 of the Ki-ras gene in a primary breast carcinoma and the MDA-MB-134 human mammary carcinoma cell line

We found an activated Kirsten (Ki)-ras gene in the MDA-MB-134 breast carcinoma cell line by transfection of NIH3T3 cells. Oligonucleotide hybridization demonstrated that this cell line carries a single G to C point mutation at position 12 leading to a glycine-arginine substitution. However, only a fraction of the cell population seems to contain this Ki-ras mutation. Since mutations can occur in cell lines during in vitro culture, we searched in breast carcinoma samples for the presence of single mutations at codon 12, but also for the presence of the double mutation previously found in the H-466B breast carcinoma cell line. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we detected one primary tumour carrying a single mutation at codon 12. No double mutation was found in any of the tumours. These results show that Ki-ras gene mutation could be involved in breast carcinogenesis, albeit at a low frequency.

Transforming c-Ki-ras mutation is a preneoplastic event in mouse mammary carcinogenesis induced in vitro by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea

Mouse mammary epithelial cells can be transformed in primary cultures to preneoplastic and neoplastic states when treated with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU). Mammary carcinomas arising from MNU-induced hyperplastic alveolar nodules (a type of mouse mammary preneoplastic lesion) contained transforming c-Ki-ras genes when examined by the NIH 3T3 focus assay. Hybridization of allele-specific oligonucleotides to c-Ki-ras sequences amplified by the polymerase chain reaction demonstrated the presence of a specific G-35----A-35 point mutation in codon 12 in each of the NIH 3T3 foci as well as the mammary carcinomas. This mutation resulted in the substitution of the normal glycine with an aspartic acid. Furthermore, this mutation in the c-Ki-ras proto-oncogenes was also detected in 9 of 10 hyperplastic alveolar nodules. These results demonstrate that the specific c-Ki-ras mutation is a preneoplastic event in MNU-induced mouse mammary carcinogenesis.

Cytogenetics and DNA amplification in colorectal cancers

In vitro cultivated cells of 28 colorectal cancers were analyzed for chromosomal abnormalities that might signal amplification of DNA, either as double minutes (DMs) or homogeneously staining chromosomal regions (HSRs). Cells derived from 18 tumors showed DMs in 10 to 100% of all metaphases examined. Surveys that employed a panel of available oncogene probes failed to detect amplification of a known cellular oncogene with the exception of three cases where the ERBB2 gene was amplified. In one of these three cases neither DMs nor HSRs were detectable. Our studies show that from 28 lines established in culture, 19 (68%) show amplification of DNA, and indicate that DNA amplification is a frequent genetic alteration in colorectal cancers in addition to other genetic changes. Amplification is correlated with high Dukes stage, but not with histological grade. The identity of the amplified DNA remains to be established for most cases.

Infrequent point mutations of ras oncogenes in gastric cancers

Adenocarcinomas of the proximal and distal stomach have significant clinical and biological differences. A study was undertaken to determine if a difference in the incidence of mutated ras oncogenes exists between proximal (gastroesophageal junction or cardia) and distal (body or antrum) gastric tumors, and to assess the overall incidence in gastric cancers from non-Asian patients. Deoxyribonucleic acid from 28 primary gastric adenocarcinomas were analyzed for point mutations in codons 12, 13, and 61 of the Ha-ras, Ki-ras, and N-ras protooncogenes using polymerase-catalyzed chain reaction methodology. Twelve tumors were located at the gastroesophageal junction or cardia, and 16 in the body or antrum. Mutated ras genes were detected in 2 of 28 tumors for an overall incidence of 7%. The mutations occurred in codon 61 of the N-ras gene in a proximal gastric cancer and in codon 12 of the Ki-ras gene in a distal gastric cancer. These data indicate that mutations in ras genes are an uncommon event in primary gastric cancers and that there is no meaningful difference in the incidence of ras mutations in proximal and distal stomach cancers.

Transforming c-Ki-ras mutation is a preneoplastic event in mouse mammary carcinogenesis induced in vitro by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea

Mouse mammary epithelial cells can be transformed in primary cultures to preneoplastic and neoplastic states when treated with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU). Mammary carcinomas arising from MNU-induced hyperplastic alveolar nodules (a type of mouse mammary preneoplastic lesion) contained transforming c-Ki-ras genes when examined by the NIH 3T3 focus assay. Hybridization of allele-specific oligonucleotides to c-Ki-ras sequences amplified by the polymerase chain reaction demonstrated the presence of a specific G-35----A-35 point mutation in codon 12 in each of the NIH 3T3 foci as well as the mammary carcinomas. This mutation resulted in the substitution of the normal glycine with an aspartic acid. Furthermore, this mutation in the c-Ki-ras proto-oncogenes was also detected in 9 of 10 hyperplastic alveolar nodules. These results demonstrate that the specific c-Ki-ras mutation is a preneoplastic event in MNU-induced mouse mammary carcinogenesis.

The role of the H-ras oncogene in radiation resistance and metastasis

The sensitivity of tumor cells to the killing effects of ionizing radiation is thought to be one of the major determinants of curability of tumors in patients treated with radiation therapy. This paper reviews the evidence from our laboratory and other groups which supports a role for oncogenes in the induction of radioresistance in cultured mammalian cells. Primary rat embryo cells (REC) were chosen as a model system in which the effects on radiation resistance of the H-ras oncogene could be studied on a uniform genetic background. These cells offered several useful advantages. The cells prior to transformation are diploid and because they have been in culture only for a few passages prior to transformation with the oncogene it is unlikely that any preexisting mutation affecting radiation response could be present. Additionally, the use of REC permitted the study of the effects of synergism between oncogenes on the induction of the radioresistant phenotype. The results show that the activated H-ras oncogene induces radiation resistance in primary rat cells after transformation, but that the effect of the oncogene itself is small. However, the myc oncogene, which has no effect on radiation resistance by itself, appears to have a synergistic effect on the induction of radiation resistance by H-ras. Radiation resistance induced by H-ras plus myc is characterized by an increase in the slope of the curve at high doses but there is also a large effect within the shoulder region of the radiation survival curve. The AdenoE1A oncogene which will also act synergistically with ras in transformation assays plays a less clear-cut role in assays of radiation resistance. The H-ras oncogene is also known not only to transform cells but also to induce metastatic behavior in the tumors which form after these transformed cells are injected into syngeneic animals or nude mice. We have also shown in our primary rat embryo cell system that the induction of metastatic behavior in transformed cells, like the induction of radioresistance depends on a complex interaction between oncogenes and the cellular background. This evidence will be reviewed to demonstrate some of the analogies between radiation resistance and metastasis as examples of the complex alterations in cellular phenotype which occur after oncogene transfection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

An immunohistochemical analysis of ras oncogene expression in epithelial neoplasms of the colon

Colonic epithelial tumors (101) including villoglandular adenomas, carcinomas in situ, adenocarcinomas, and neuroendocrine (NE) carcinomas were studied immunohistochemically with monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) RAP-5 and RAS-10 recognizing altered and unaltered ras oncogene products. In addition, 20 samples from multiple polyposis including adenomas with and without dysplasia, carcinomas in situ, and invasive carcinomas were studied. Using immunostaining techniques, normal mucosa was weakly stained, whereas the mucosa in the vicinity of tumors or inflammation showed enhanced staining. More tumors stained intensely with MoAb RAP-5 than with MoAb RAS-10. With MoAb RAP-5, most benign and malignant tumors showed enhanced staining. No significant differences in staining were noted in relation to superficial versus deeply invasive carcinomas or clinical staging. Immunostaining was also noted in some metastases. No significant differences in enhanced staining were found in carcinomas. Interestingly, the most extensive and enhanced immunostaining was noted in the villoglandular adenomas, dysplastic adenomas, and carcinomas in situ. The authors conclude that (1) ras protein expression is detectable in most benign, borderline, and malignant epithelial tumors of the colon as determined with MoAb RAP-5 and RAS-10, whereas enhanced expression is more often detected with RAP-5; (2) enhanced ras product expression in colon carcinomas does not seem to correlate with advanced tumor stages or with exocrine, NE, or phenotypically mixed tumors; and (3) the finding of the most intensely enhanced ras products expression in villoglandular polyps and carcinomas in situ suggests a possibly significant role for the oncogene in the early phases of transformation.

Low incidence of ras oncogene activation in human squamous cell carcinomas

Activation of the ras gene family by point mutation at codons 12, 13 and 61 has been demonstrated in up to 20% of unselected series of human tumours. The present study was carried out to assess the incidence of ras activation in 37 squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck, seven squamous cell carcinomas of the skin and eight squamous carcinoma cell lines. Oligonucleotide probes and the polymerase chain reaction were used on DNA extracted from achival paraffin embedded material. Mutations in codon 12 of the Harvey ras gene was found in a carcinoma of the larynx and a carcinoma of the lip, both of which had received prior irradiation. A cell line (LICR-LON-HN8) established from the same laryngeal cancer showed the same mutation. This study indicates that there is a low incidence of ras mutation in human squamous cell carcinomas and that activation of this family of genes is probably not a common factor in the development of this group of tumours.

Mutational activation of the c-K-ras gene in human pancreatic carcinoma

We have reported the presence of c-K-ras oncogenes activated by single point mutations at codon 12 in a vast majority of human pancreatic carcinomas. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens from surgical resections, autopsies and biopsies were used as well as snap frozen surgical specimens. The high oncogene incidence has been confirmed in other studies and indicate that somatic mutational activation of the c-K-ras gene is an important event in the development, maintenance or progression of cancer of the exocrine pancreas. While the role that these point mutations play in any or all of these processes remains to be determined, their presence is useful clinically for the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma at the molecular genetic level. The detection of mutated c-K-ras oncogenes in fine needle aspirates of pancreatic masses, that by cytomorphology may be suspicious but not diagnostic of malignant disease, increases the sensitivity of the diagnosis for this cancer. The identification of codon 12 mutations in the c-K-ras gene in pancreatic adenocarcinomas has been possible by advances in recombinant DNA techniques, especially by the development of in vitro gene amplification by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The possibility of analysing formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue for the presence of genetic alterations as small as single point mutations by PCR in concert with other mutation detection techniques, should facilitate the molecular genetic analysis of pancreatic carcinoma. Retrospective studies using stored specimens are now feasible with the technology described and should yield important information on the molecular epidemiology and aetiology of this and other diseases.

Induction of a mitogen-responsive gene after expression of the Ha-ras oncogene in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts

A cDNA clone, T1, has been isolated whose corresponding mRNA was transiently expressed at highly elevated levels after conditional expression of the Ha-ras(EJ) gene and after mitogenic activation of quiescent NIH 3T3 cells. Glucocorticoid hormone stimulated substantial T1 expression as well but only in proliferating cells. At least two different signaling pathways participate in the regulation of the T1 gene: a protein kinase C-dependent signal is involved in the response of proliferating NIH 3T3 cells to glucocorticoid in the absence but not the presence of p21ras, whereas a protein kinase C-independent mechanism mediates the response to serum factors. Treatment of cells with the protein kinase inhibitor 2-aminopurine blocked induction of expression of the T1 gene. T1 mRNA accumulation is regulated at the transcriptional level.

Class II HLA antigen expression in familial polyposis coli is related to the degree of dysplasia

Class II HLA antigen expression was studied in 30 polyps from 3 patients who were diagnosed with familial polyposis coli. The highest levels of this expression were associated with the most severe grades of dysplasia (p less than 0.00001), the sequence of positivity being HLA-DR greater than DQ greater than DP. No association was observed between the expression of these antigens and the presence of a specific inflammatory leukocytic infiltrate. Our results imply that HLA class II molecule expression is somehow related to malignant transformation in familial polyposis coli in accordance with the adenoma-dysplastic adenoma-adenocarcinoma sequence. Thus these antigens may be useful markers to tumoral progression.

Identification of a chromosome 18q gene that is altered in colorectal cancers

Allelic deletions involving chromosome 18q occur in more than 70 percent of colorectal cancers. Such deletions are thought to signal the existence of a tumor suppressor gene in the affected region, but until now a candidate suppressor gene on this chromosomal arm had not been identified. A contiguous stretch of DNA comprising 370 kilobase pairs (kb) has now been cloned from a region of chromosome 18q suspected to reside near this gene. Potential exons in the 370-kb region were defined by human-rodent sequence identities, and the expression of potential exons was assessed by an "exon-connection" strategy based on the polymerase chain reaction. Expressed exons were used as probes for cDNA screening to obtain clones that encoded a portion of a gene termed DCC; this cDNA was encoded by at least eight exons within the 370-kb genomic region. The predicted amino acid sequence of the cDNA specified a protein with sequence similarity to neural cell adhesion molecules and other related cell surface glycoproteins. While the DCC gene was expressed in most normal tissues, including colonic mucosa, its expression was greatly reduced or absent in most colorectal carcinomas tested. Somatic mutations within the DCC gene observed in colorectal cancers included a homozygous deletion of the 5' end of the gene, a point mutation within one of the introns, and ten examples of DNA insertions within a 0.17-kb fragment immediately downstream of one of the exons. The DCC gene may play a role in the pathogenesis of human colorectal neoplasia, perhaps through alteration of the normal cell-cell interactions controlling growth.

Lessons from the genetics of colon cancer

Remarkable advances in the understanding of specific inherited and acquired genetic events that are important in colonic carcinogenesis have occurred in the last several years. Studies of the population genetics of colon cancer have determined that the gene responsible for familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), and Gardner's syndrome has been localized on the long arm of chromosome 5 and have more clearly defined the importance of genetic influences in 'sporadic' colon cancer. Studies of the molecular genetics of colon cancer have identified acquired alterations in oncogenes such as the K-ras gene and in putative tumor suppressor genes such as the FAP gene on chromosome 5, the p53 gene on chromosome 17, and the DCC gene on chromosome 18, which appear to mediate important steps in the adenoma-dysplasia-carcinoma sequence. Some of these research advances (FAP gene carriage) are already being used clinically to identify individuals at risk for colon cancer, and they offer great promise for the future of both prevention and therapeutic programs.

Growth factors and oncogenes in human solid tumors: clinical aspects

Growth factors, growth factor receptors and oncogenes have been extensively studied in human tumors for some years. The purpose of this paper is to review the clinical results obtained in human cancers and their predisposing conditions or high risk groups as well as their relation with clinical, pathological characteristics and their prognosis.

Cellular and molecular biological aspects of human bronchogenic carcinogenesis

This is a time of rapid progress in the field of human bronchogenic carcinogenesis due to recent advances in cellular and molecular biology. Important developments over the last 10 years include establishment of methods for culturing NHBE cells under defined conditions, and molecular biological and biochemical epidemiological techniques for identifying genetic changes that are associated with malignant transformation of these cells. Most progress in defining genes associated with human carcinogenesis has been due to discoveries related to oncogenes and more recently, tumor suppressor genes. As was described in Section II.B.3.a, we now know that oncogene products serve as growth factors, growth factor receptors, and cytosolic and nuclear regulatory proteins. In addition, although the actions of putative tumor suppressor genes are less well understood, the first isolated tumor suppressor gene Rb, interacts with the products of DNA viruses which, in turn, are involved in regulation of transcription as was described in Section II.B.3.b. Thus, not surprisingly, both oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes code for classes of proteins that are known to play an important role in regulation of cell proliferation. Recently, a second gene that appears to possess tumor suppression activity (p53) has been identified on the short arm of chromosome 17 (17p). The initial data suggesting a possible tumor suppressor gene on chromosome 17p came from cytogenetic and RFLP studies associating loss of heterozygosity in the chromosome 17p13 region with tumor cells and tissues. Since the p53 gene is located in this region it was evaluated and found to be frequently or always altered in several types of tumor cells. Recently, it was determined that introduction of the wild-type p53 gene into NIH3T3 cells will inhibit subsequent malignant transformation. Thus, the preponderance of evidence now supports the hypothesis that while mutated p53 acts as an oncogene, the wild-type p53 gene codes for a tumor suppressor function. The role of balance between oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in control of proliferation is presently an active area of investigation. As discussed, introduction of a chromosome containing a tumor suppressor gene will suppress tumorigenicity of a malignant cell line, even though that cell line possesses an active c-Ha-ras oncogene. Whether or not the level of expression of an activated oncogene is related to tumorigenicity is presently being investigated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Activating missense mutations in Ha-ras-1 genes in a malignant subset of bladder lesions induced by N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine or N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furanyl)-2-thiazolyl]formamide

Urothelial cell cultures generated from urinary bladders from a series of N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN)- or N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furanyl)-2-thiazolyl]formamide (FANFT)-treated Fischer 344 rats were examined for activating missense mutations in Ha-ras-1 genes. Our overall objective was to identify oncogene-activating mutations in this system and to determine what altered biological properties correlate with such genetic changes. The urinary bladders from the treated animals showed a spectrum of histopathologies, from simple hyperplasia to transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). Using restriction analysis, oligonucleotide hybridization, and DNA sequencing, we found that approximately 20% (3/14) of the bladder cell cultures had acquired oncogenic single-base substitutions in codon 61 of Ha-ras-1 genes (CAA----AAA or CGA). The donor bladder lesions for these three cultures, which also harbored the same ras-activating mutations, were all classified as stage A or B TCCs. However, four other TCCs also arising in this series were found to have normal Ha-ras genes. Whereas approximately half of the bladder cultures derived from the carcinogen-treated rats were nontumorigenic in athymic mice, the three cultures containing ras oncogenes were all highly tumorigenic (forming tumors within 5 wk of injection into athymic mice). These cultures also displayed a high degree of anchorage-independent growth and NIH 3T3-transforming activity in gene transfer assays. The nontumorigenic cultures were derived from bladder lesions that included three hyperplasias and three stage A TCCs. We conclude that ras-activating missense mutations were present in a malignant subset of bladder lesions induced by BBN or FANFT, but most of the lesions in this system appeared to involve genetic alterations elsewhere. Thus other oncogenes besides activated Ha-ras may apparently be associated with the same bladder histopathologies and transformation markers.

Genetic and cellular basis of multistep carcinogenesis

Experimental evidence indicates that cancer development is a multistep process, and that multiple genetic changes are required before a normal cell becomes fully neoplastic. These genetic changes involve oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and possibly senescence genes. From studies in vivo using several different animal models, the stages are broadly defined as initiation, progression, and clearly involve both genetic and epigenetic events. Studies in vitro using cell culture systems have allowed the multistep process to be dissected in greater detail at both the cellular and molecular genetic level. In the Syrian hamster embryo cell culture model, neoplastic progression requires four heritable changes, involving activation of two oncogenes and loss of two tumor suppressor genes. Like the experimental systems, a limited number of studies of human tumors suggest that the multistep paradigm is also applicable, and that similar genetic events are involved in the development of cancer in humans.

Analysis of genetic variability in human respiratory syncytial virus by the RNase A mismatch cleavage method: subtype divergence and heterogeneity

We have applied the RNase A mismatch cleavage method to the analysis of genetic variability among human Respiratory Syncytial (RS) viruses. Antisense RNA probes of the Long strain were hybridized to total RNA extracted from cells infected with other strains. The RNA:RNA heteroduplexes were digested with RNase A and the resistant products analyzed by gel electrophoresis. Each virus generated characteristic band patterns with the different probes. Comparative analyses of the cleavage patterns indicate that antigenic subtypes correlate with genetically distinct viral groups. Viruses within each subtype, however, show substantial genetic heterogeneity and progressive accumulation of genetic changes with time. This heterogeneity is also observed among viruses of the same epidemic outbreak which cannot be distinguished with a panel of monoclonal antibodies. Different genes and gene regions also differ in their rates of change. These results are discussed in terms of RS virus evolution.

Infrequent ras oncogene point mutations in renal cell carcinoma

The role of ras oncogenes in the pathogenesis of renal cell carcinoma is unclear. We have previously shown that insertion of a mutated ras oncogene into cultured human proximal tubular cells, the normal counterpart of renal cell carcinomas, initiates a series of transformation events which results in cells possessing a renal cancer phenotype. These data suggested a role for mutated ras genes in the initiation and maintenance of this disease. Therefore, to assess the involvement of ras genes in renal carcinogenesis, 51 primary and metastatic renal carcinomas, including three oncocytomas, were analyzed for point mutations in codons 12, 13 and 61 of the Ha-ras, Ki-ras and N-ras proto-oncogenes using polymerase-catalyzed chain reaction methodology. A mutated Ha-ras gene was found in one renal cancer metastatic to lung for an overall incidence of 2%. These data indicate that ras oncogenes, activated by point mutations, do not play a major role in the initiation, maintenance or metastases of renal carcinomas.

Increased levels of phorbin, c-myc, and ornithine decarboxylase RNAs in human colon cancer

Our previous work on protein kinase C (PKC) and colon cancer has shown altered levels of PKC activity in human colon tumors, as well as activation of PKC by colon tumor promoters such as bile acids. To understand further the role of PKC in colon carcinogenesis, we analyzed the expression of phorbin, a gene induced by PKC activation, in a series of different stages of human colon tumors. As shown by northern blot analyses of poly (A)+ RNA, higher levels of phorbin RNA were seen in 26 colon tumor samples than in their adjacent normal colonic mucosa. There also appeared to be a correlation between the abundance of phorbin RNA in the tumors and the extent of invasion (tumor-to-normal tissue phorbin RNA ratio = 4.2, 8.0, and 11.9 for Dukes' A, B, and C, respectively). Phorbin RNA was also abundant in a human colon cancer line (HT29). We also examined the expression of other mitogen-responsive genes (c-myc, ODC, and beta-actin) in a set of 19 colon tumor samples. All tumors displayed significant (mean 3.8-fold) increases in the level of c-myc RNA compared with their adjacent normal colonic mucosa. About 47% and 16% of these tumor samples also showed increased levels of ODC (mean 3.1-fold) and beta-actin (mean 1.6-fold) RNA, respectively. The increased levels of c-myc, ODC, and beta-actin RNA did not correlate with the extent of tumor invasion. Taken together, these results demonstrate that human colon tumors usually display increased levels of both phorbin and c-myc RNAs. The marked increases in phorbin RNA suggest that this could serve as a useful biomarker in studies on human colon cancer.

Point mutations of c-ras genes in human bladder cancer and kidney cancer

Point mutations of c-ras genes at codons 12, 13 and 61 were analyzed in 26 cases of bladder cancer and 16 cases of kidney cancer. DNA prepared from either frozen tissues or 10% formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues were amplified by means of polymerase chain reaction methods, and mutations were analyzed by dot blot hybridization assays with oligonucleotide probes. In three cases of bladder cancer c-ras mutations were found, at codons 13 and 61 of c-Ha-ras and at codon 61 of c-Ki-ras, while no mutation was found in kidney cancer. No mutation was found in normal bladder epithelial tissues from the same patients. Our findings, taken together, may indicate relative scarcity of c-ras mutations in these types of human cancer. The results of dot blot hybridization assays and DNA sequencing showed a G-to-C transition of the first nucleotide at codon 13 c-Ha-ras. This is the first time that such a point mutation has been detected in human cancer tissues.

Colorectal carcinogenesis

It is generally accepted that genetic and environmental factors combine in the aetiology of bowel cancer. Epidemiological studies have shown that the environmental factors effects are shown more clearly in the left colon, and that they are related to living in western societies whose diets contain high levels of protein, fat and energy. There has been recent awareness that consumption of alcoholic beverages, particularly beer, may be causally related to cancers of the left colon and rectum. This review attempts to relate the general epidemiological data to more specific mechanisms of colorectal carcinogenesis. Dimethylhydrazine (DMH) and N-nitroso chemicals are potent colorectal carcinogens in animals. They have not been thought very relevant to humans because their existence in appropriate forms in the environment has been debatable and analytical methods for the specific detection of non-volatile nitrosamines and nitrosamides have not been available. Recently, however, relevant alkylating activity has been detected in foods incubated in quasi-gastric conditions, and several epidemiological studies have shown a protective effect for Vitamin C, which may inhibit the development of rectal cancer through beer consumption. As Vitamin C prevents nitrosation and as precursors of nitrosamides are present in prepared foods, further dietary studies with hypotheses based on N-nitroso carcinogenesis are required. Unfortunately, these studies will probably not show clear dose-response relationships. Many of the complex reasons for this are discussed; however, one of the most important could be related to an interplay between inherited and environmental factors. The inherited factors demonstrated by chromosomal analysis in cancer and polyposis syndromes are a reminder that other genetic (oncogenetic) changes may occur in sporadic colorectal cancer.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Specific patterns of oncogene activation in transplacentally induced tumors

Transplacental exposure of rats to a single dose of the direct acting carcinogen methylnitrosourea (MNU) results in the induction of a variety of neoplasias of neuroectodermal, epithelial, and mesenchymal origin. Molecular analysis of the oncogenes present in these tumors revealed a striking degree of tissue specificity. neu oncogenes were found to be reproducibly activated in tumors derived from the peripheral nervous system (PNS), but not in those arising from the central nervous system (CNS). No ras oncogenes were found in either PNS- or CNS-derived tumors. However, Ha-ras oncogenes were detected in each of three mammary carcinomas and Ki-ras oncogenes were present in each of five kidney mesenchymal tumors. These results illustrate that phenotypic expression of activated oncogenes in vivo is not a random process and suggest that normal developmental programs may play an important role in modulating the activation of specific oncogenes by chemical carcinogens. PCR analysis revealed that each of the ras oncogenes detected in these transplacentally induced tumors became activated by the same G----A transition in the second base of codon 12. Since G----A transitions are the preferred mutations induced by MNU, it is likely that these ras oncogenes may have been directly targeted by MNU during embryonic development.